5 Redshirt Freshmen To Watch in 2011

At the beginning of every camp fans get excited to see their team and their newest additions. How is that hot shot recruit doing? Who is running with the first and second teams? However, one group of players who always seem to be overlooked come camp time is redshirt freshmen – the second year players who still have four years of availability left.

nj.comBrandon Coleman (17) and Rashad Knight (8) are two redshirt freshmen who should contribute in 2011.

Overlooked
For these second year players, the spotlight gets stolen by the current group of newcomers and they were overshadowed in the prior year by their fellow recruiting classmates who got on the field. Many of them will not make the two-deep, but a good portion of them will see the field either as special team guys or situational players.

Here is look at five red-shirt freshmen who could have an impact on the Scarlet Knights this year:

1. Brandon Coleman
There is no obscurity here. Of all the redshirts on the team he is the one who is a lock to see playing time. Coleman had a great spring camp and emerged as a weapon for QB Chad Dodd. He then had a coming out party when he made a splash in the spring game with two touchdowns. With junior wideouts Mohamed Sanu and Mark Harrison entrenched as the starters, Coleman will not start but should see action in three receiver sets. Should Tight End D.C. Jefferson fail to get more involved in the passing game this year, Coleman's role could even further expand becoming a big target at 6'6 across the middle on slants and dump offs.

2. Betim Bujari
Considering the year the offensive line had last year it is highly unlikely that all five positions will be settled until later in camp. At 6'4, 290 Bujari is both big enough and athletic enough to prove flexibility at the guard and center positions. I would expect to see Bujari earn a spot on the two-deep and occasionally see spot action throughout the year.

3. Michael Burton
Joe Martinek will be the starting fullback and should see plenty of action in the passing game. However, the jury is still out if he can take on the role of an every down bruising blocking back. Enter in Burton. If Burton can prove himself as a blocker he could earn himself spot and situational duty. Offensive Coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. developed former walk-on Henry Hynoski into a force at fullback while at Pittsburgh. Hynoski is in camp with the New York Giants as a rookie and Burton should be excited to work in Cignetti's system.

4. Shane Meisner
Meisner earned a spot on the two-deep of the post-spring depth chart. The Defensive End position will be crowded at the onset of summer camp, with starters Manny Abreu and either Justin Francis or Michael Larrow at the other spot. Vying for reps along with Meisner will be Jamil Merrell, Marcus Thompson and possibly freshmen Max Issaka, Djwany Mera and Kyle George. Meisner walked on last season as a hybrid linebacker and was moved to DE in the spring. He has earned the public praises of Coach Schiano and could emerge along with Issaka as two young players to rotate in the defensive lineup.

5. Rashad Knight
Among a group of three reshirt freshman defensive backs that could see playing time, I think Knight will have the best chance of all. It is easy to see Knight earn special teams duty, but also potentially challenge Patrick Kivlehan or Wayne Warren for a position on the two deep by year end. The hard-hitting Lorenzo Waters and the athletic Gareef Glashen are the other two redshirt DBs who could see time both on special teams and on the two-deep if things break their way. One thing that is for certain is that Rutgers has a deep group of young defensive backs looking to break in.

Weigh in with your comments on which redshirt freshmen to look out for in 2011.